Ellen’s surprise onstage announcement: ‘I’m done’

Ellen DeGeneres surpised fans during a Q&A session this week, making a big announcement about her future career plans.

Ellen DeGeneres recently revealed that she’s “done” after her upcoming stand-up special.

SFGate reports that during a Q&A session following her Monday night (July 1) stop of her Ellen’s Last Stand … Up tour, DeGeneres was asked if fans can expect her to appear on Broadway or in any movies following her current tour, to which she replied, “Um, no.”

“This is the last time you’re going to see me,” she shared. “After my Netflix special, I’m done.”

On Monday night, she also confronted the toxic workplace allegations made against her from anonymous former employees (and one who was still employed at the time) of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in a 2020 BuzzFeed News report, telling the audience that she was “kicked out of show business for being mean.” The last episode of DeGeneres’ talk show aired in May 2022, marking 19 seasons in total.

Ellen announced onstage this week that she plans to retire after her upcoming Netflix special airs. Picture: AFP

“I used to say, ‘I don’t care what people say about me.’ Now I realise I said that during the height of my popularity,” she said during the show.

According to SFGate, she noted that this marked her second time being kicked out of the industry, following when she came out as gay.

“Next time, I’ll be kicked out for being old. Old, gay and mean, the triple crown,” she quipped.’

She said that she “can be demanding and impatient and tough,” calling herself “a strong woman.”

“I am many things, but I am not mean,” she insisted.

Ellen‘s talk show ended amid allegations of a toxic workplace culture. Picture: YouTube

News of her Netflix stand-up special broke in May, as DeGeneres shared the following statement at the time regarding the special, implying that she won’t be shying away from discussing the allegations, per Variety: “To answer the questions everyone is asking me – Yes, I’m going to talk about it. Yes, this is my last special.”

During a Q&A session following a stand-up performance of hers in April, DeGeneres reflected on the manner in which her show ended, deeming its demise “devastating.”

“I just hated the way the show ended,” she lamented, per Rolling Stone. “I love that show so much and I just hated that the last time people would see me is that way.”

This story originally appeared on Decider and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Ellen’s surprise onstage announcement: ‘I’m done’